Crisp to avoid the DL; A’s set for series with Rangers

Greetings from the Oakland Coliseum, where the sun is out and the weather is much more pleasant than the fog-filled morning that blanketed the Bay Area.

Texas is in town, and the A’s kick off their homestand with Bartolo Colon toeing the slab against Roy Oswalt. Before getting to the actual game though, there was plenty going on with injured A’s before the game.

For starters, A’s manager Bob Melvin said the team does not feel like Coco Crisp is a candidate for the disabled list at this point. The center fielder came out of Friday’s game in Minnesota early with an injured left shoulder, then missed the rest of the series. He saw a doctor on Monday, and tests showed no structural damage to the shoulder. Crisp shagged fly balls and took batting practice on Tuesday, hitting a fairly convincing home run from the right side.

With Crisp not headed to the DL, Collin Cowgill was reinstated and optioned to Triple-A Sacramento. Cowgill likely would’ve been needed in Oakland had Crisp not been able to play soon, but with that not the case, Cowgill will get at-bats in the minors.

As an aside, my first indication that Cowgill wasn’t back came when I walked into the clubhouse and saw Rickey Henderson inhabiting Cowgill’s locker. I’m thinking Collin wouldn’t object to some of that mojo sticking around once he returns.

I chatted briefly with Brett Anderson, and the lefty sounded pleased with his 45-pitch simulated game on Monday as he makes his way back from elbow surgery. He said all his pitches felt good, and his body felt good one day later. Melvin said Anderson will throw a bullpen Tuesday, then a determination will be made as to whether the southpaw will head out on a rehab assignment.

Anderson himself said the goal is to pitch for Single-A Stockton on Saturday. So, naturally, I asked him whether he’d go to teammate Dallas Braden for some 209 knowledge.

“Maybe I’ll have to stay at his house or something,” Anderson said. “He can be the mayor of Stockton for the day I pitch there.”

Braden threw a bullpen of his own Tuesday, throwing 40 pitches with his full arsenal available. Melvin said Braden was “bouncing off the mound” after the workout.

Brandon McCarthy also took a step in his quest to return from a strained shoulder, playing catch on flat ground. The hope is McCarthy will be able to throw a bullpen Wednesday.

And finally, Yoenis Cespedes might be back in the outfield Wednesday. That depends on how his hand felt with the glove on it during BP today.

Whew. How’s that for news? There’s no escaping the stakes this week here in Oakland, but for the most part the A’s are intent on keeping things business as usual. There’s some definite buzz as the team returns home for the first time in the second half, as evidenced by a fairly large media contingent out here at the yard tonight. Should be a fun week in Oaktown.